Getting a work visa for China, the company you are working for will likely have different paperwork requirements for you when acquiring a Chinese work visa.
I recently made a trip to the Chinese Consulate in Chicago on my own journey to get my paperwork done to get my Chinese work visa. Rather than pay and agent to submit a work visa, I decided to navigate the process on my own. I also have family that lives close to Chicago.
Before reading this, my advice would be to pay attention to the instructions your employer gives you to get your work visa started. If you need additional guidance, then use this blog top help navigate the Chicago Chinese Consulate.
Step 1: Familiarizing Yourself with Different Visas
You should know what it takes to submit your visas in person. The attendants at the Chicago Chinese Consulate do not like to waste time and they especially don’t like to do things twice.
My suggestion is to familiarize yourself with the different types of visas, including the Z visa, so you know exactly what paperwork you need to submit. Read this 100 times so you can avoid any mistakes on your end.
If you have someone who can deliver your visa for you or you can deliver it yourself, save the cash!
For those who are nowhere near the Chicago Consulate and need an agent to submit paperwork, Chinese Visa Solutions has great reviews and has helped people get their visas for going to China.
Go here to read about the different kind of Chinese visas.
Step 2: Organizing Paperwork for Your Employer
To get your visa processing started, your employer is likely going to send you steps on what you need to do to get the process started.
Below are some of the things you may need to do during this step.
- Get a background check through the Bureau of Investigation in your state
- Acquire your diploma
- Get your background check and diploma notarized
- Authenticate your background check and diploma with the Chinese Consulate
- Get a work physical (includes getting an ECG, Chest X-ray, and bloodwork) – Could cost $0 – $100 depending on your insurance coverage.
Step 3: Notarizing Your Documents
Before you even arrive at the Chinese Consulate to submit your paperwork, you will need to notarize your diploma and your background check.
Make sure that your items are properly notarized before doing so. The Illinois Secretary of State Facility authenticating your documents may ask you to go to get them notarized under the state of Illinois. They will direct you to a notary about four blocks from the office if this is the case. It will cost you about $4 to notarize both documents.
Step 4: Submitting Documents for Authentication
You will likely need to submit documents for authentication for both
- The Secretary of State
- Chinese Consulate
To authenticate the documents in the US, it is best to go to the Chicago Public Service Illinois Secretary of State Facility at 17 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602. Ask the front desk where you can go to authenticate foreign documents and they will direct you to the proper suite. You will receive immediate authentication from them within minutes.
Once you have completed the first step of authentication, you can visit the Chinese Consulate to authenticate your documents.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: When visiting the Chinese Consulate in Chicago, you want to go to the address 1 E Erie St in Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois. The 100 West Erie location is not for getting visas. Be sure to go to the correct location.
Authenticating documents through the Chinese Consulate will take 3-5 days to get back unless you ask for a rush on the documents. You could spend between $50 – $100 depending on when you need the documents. They only accept money orders, Visa, Mastercard, or cashier’s checks as payment for your documents. You must be present to submit and pick up documents.
More info about getting authentication is here.
Step 5: Waiting For Your Invitation Letter
It varies, I’m sure, for different employers, but once you hand in the requested documents to your employer, it may take them up to two weeks before sending back an invitation to work in China.
During that time, get to packing! You can also organize all of your other visa documents while you are waiting for your invitation letter. Once you get your invitation letter, you will be able to proceed to the next step of visiting the Chinese Consulate in Chicago to finish getting your work visa.
Step 6: Applying For a Visa and Turning in Paperwork
Make sure you have everything you need to apply for your visa before you walk in the door. Trust me when I say they do not like to have things done twice, they will get annoyed with you. You must hand-deliver your application and they do not provide shipping service for your completed documents.
If you haven’t yet, please read the visa requirements here.
When you are filling out an application, the items below are important:
- Bring your Passport (Should be a given, but you never know)
- Type your application. They WILL NOT accept handwritten applications.
- Make copies of everything (passport, past visas, application, invitation letter you can never be too sure)
- A really good and clear passport photo (Can purchase at Walgreens for $16 or take the photo in their photo booth at the Chinese Consulate.
- Provide your invitation letter or proof of residence from your employer.
Getting your Chinese work visa could take 4-5 days to receive back. You will not be required to pay anything until you pick up your passport. The cost of obtaining your visa is $140 per visa. You can request express delivery services to get your visa sooner. They only accept money orders, Visa, Mastercard, or cashier’s check.
Step 7: Having Fun in China
Once you’ve received your Chinese work visa, you are ready to go start your life in China!
China is an amazing country with incredible food, culture, and sense of community. Once you can start learning the language, you will get addicted to making new friends and truly experiencing everything this country has to offer.
To help you get started on planning for travel and life in China, below are some other helpful blogs I suggest skimming through before you start your adventure.
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